Gibney x The Village Culture Collective
Last August, the Village Culture Collective generously accepted an invitation from Alexandra Wells and Gilbert T Small II of Gibney’s Training team to sit down and speak in an honest exchange. Over the next 6 months, weekly meetings introduced us to a variety of elders from the Street and Club dance communities and through these gatherings, we got an inside view of how the Street/Club dance community is often treated in our field. The lack of respect and care this community has received, and the way that institutions have monetized and taken advantage of their work, became abundantly clear. With this new partnership, working through the lens of equity, Gibney’s Training department aims to holistically support this vibrant community.
“Through fellowship, the Village Culture Collective and Gibney came together to create actionable steps towards change. We were given a glimpse into their world and came away more driven than ever to create ways to uplift and celebrate the Street and Club dance community at Gibney.”
– Training Consultant Gilbert T Small II
We are proud to join forces with the Village Culture Collective not only to help move their community forward, but also to infuse more diversity and offer a broader range of perspectives into Gibney’s Training programming. We are working together to create:
- A Youth Hip Hop Summer Intensive
- A Year-Round Youth Hip Hop Program – Details to be announced
- Regular Battles at Gibney 280 Broadway – Details to be announced
- A Village Culture Collective curated offering of Street/Club Drop-In Classes – Details to be announced
The Village Culture Collective
The Village Culture Collective is a gathering of BIPOC street and club dance veterans who are working to establish structures for uplifting, empowering, and educating about NYC street club dance culture, while building a self-sustaining ecosystem for Black and Brown culture built on the ideals of peace, love, unity, and having fun for everyone through innovation, individuality, and creativity.
Next Generation is committed to creating events, and programs that are used to uplift and educate the world about all the facets that have been created by BIPOC in the street and club dance community through Music, Feeling, and Dance!
Ladies of Hip Hop Festival (LOHHF) is a nonprofit organization that provides artistic opportunities for girls & women in Hip-Hop culture. Through female-powered workshops, performances, public talks, and professional development training, LOHHF is educating and cultivating Hip-Hop’s next generation of female leaders.
The Kids Breaking League was founded in 2017 by Victor “Kid Glyde” Alicea of the legendary Dynamic Rockers. The KBL is comprised of a community of certified coaches from dance studios across the tri-state area, who introduce the future generation to the history and culture of breakdancing.
Breaking is an artform that celebrates individuality. Kids develop their own style through dance, build confidence, and form life–long friendships.
The KBL has a schedule of events where crews and individuals can come together and show their skills in a positive and supportive environment. To encourage healthy competition and track a student’s progress, the KBL has developed a ranking system for individuals and crews, ultimately leading to the KBL championships.
Sanctioned by UDEF and the Silverback Open, the goal of the Kids Breaking League is to expand across the country and give young breakers a platform to grow and compete on the next level.
So, whether you are in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or beyond we are ready to take your kids to the next level!
In today’s social media world, it is not hard to see how the masses regurgitate portions and slices of this vibrant culture, while mislabeling it in the process.
Hip Hop is of and by Black/LatinX New Yorkers and is alive and well. Being multilayered and incredibly nuanced, it cannot be taught at any capacity without addressing social dynamics, race, economics and the american (in)justice system.
Hip Hop is more than my culture, it is my name, which I represent with pride. I make it my priority to bring history and integrity to those that are willing to learn.
I have been blessed to be raised in NYC and still share experiences with Graffiti pioneers, Breakin’ icons, legendary DJ’s and giant MC’s, allowing me to learn first hand what this culture is about.
From the club scene, to performing internationally as a dancer and choreographer, I am fortunate to have so much to share. As a Graffiti Writer and Muralist I have seen how the visual aspect have transcended into all media. Being a 2nd generation member of the world renowned TATS cru, true graffiti legends, world Mural Kings and my mentors, my roots play a significant role in how I artistically express what this culture means and the content of what I teach in class.
My courses and workshops cover many aspects surrounding (NY Style) Hip Hop Dance, Graffiti, Style, Emotion and its Sociopolitical backdrop.
No student will be asked or expected to master any of these elements and/or styles. This is a field that requires the same amount of time, energy and dedication as any other genres that have been accepted as ‘fine art” by white european standards. Even though Hip Hop still falls behind in credibility, it is arguably one of the largest Art movement in history. Full stop.
One main goal is to shed light on this misunderstood, vilified, raw, yet beautiful Black American Art form. Students are only asked to show respect and be willing to participate when and if they feel comfortable.
-Dister
The Directors
Cebo is the owner of one of New York’s first performance companies turned business Next Generation NYC, LLC (NXGN). From event management, to curriculum development NXGN does it all when it comes to street and club culture. The love for street club culture and all the things it has done for the world continues to drive me to find ways in which I can help enrich my community. Through Music, Feeling, and Dance!
Kid Glyde is the son of legendary Glyde of the original Dynamic Rockers and has been breaking for sixteen years, starting with lessons from both his father and Kid Freeze. After his first major battle victory in 2006 at the Universal Zulu Nation B-boy/B-girl Throwdown, he has only continued further with his success as a b-boy. He has taken titles at major battles such as the Rock Steady Crew Anniversary Battles in 2007 and 2008 and won Eurobattle 2009 with his crew. He also represented the USA in the 2009 Red Bull BC One competition, the most prestigious 1 v. 1 b-boy battle in the world. He is currently the owner of KBL studios and organizer of the Kids Breaking League.
The tireless creator, director of Ladies of Hip-Hop, Michele has been working for many years to re-contextualize spaces and conversation of Hip-Hop culture along gender, sex, cultural and socio-historical and racial lines for decades along with situating the arts and dance techniques in spaces that honor and acknowledge their roots and the many creative pioneers who have shaped them.
From the club scene, to performing internationally as a dancer and choreographer, I am fortunate to have so much to share. As a Graffiti Writer and Muralist I have seen how the visual aspect has transcended into all media. Being a 2nd generation member of the world renowned TATS cru, true graffiti legends, world Mural Kings and my mentors, my roots play a significant role in how I artistically express what this culture means and the content of what I teach in class.